My Wanderings - 64. Short Story No - 44. The Scapegoat

The ethos and pathos     reflected in the present story may appear  distinct to the  new generation in terms of change in values due to inception of much permissiveness in   society   but not distant from the psychology  of human behaviour , which may not have changed much .
It was in late seventies in Srinagar  Sudhir, a meek and humble youngman after completing graduation got a job in central Govt Deptt with much struggle in terms of  interviews and written tests  and undertaking many casual and temporary occupations earlier  . It was really a herculean task to find a job those days, because of limited resources and job  opportunities prevalent  in the valley.
Sudhir could not adjust himself in the new environment  of his office mostly represented by his middle aged colleagues, with their weird  mentality and biased outlook. They could make fun out of any thing and even at the cost of some ones honour and pride. They were always looking for a chance to let down any one amongst themselves even and create something substantial   out of insignificant incidents , which could be overlooked otherwise by a normal person. Sudhir heard many tales of deceit and treachery employed by them with each other. If somebody submitted a fraud medical bill , other would surely complain about it to the head office . One of the colleagues of Sudhir was helping his father , who was having a cloth shop , after office hours . But another colleague got jealous of this and managed to conceal himself in a building opposite to the shop for several hours with a camera to take the photograph of his colleague selling cloth with a yard stick in  his hand and  with the intention of catching him red handed. Then the photograph was sent to Head office with an anonymous complaint .But Head office took little cognisance of such complaint due to the good luck of former.
A colleague of Sudhir once confided to him   that one  of their colleagues named Mr Pran Nath was  suffering from stomach cancer and was  in hospital for the last two months . There were  very rare chances of his  survival   and his wife has passed away already few  years back. Moreover , he had  two grownup children a son and a daughter to look after . Sudhir had never seen Pran Nath but could spare some time to express sympathy with him and the family . Sudhir could perceive that office people were having only lip sympathies about the condition and circumstances of Pran Nath but most of them were discussing about his weirdness and treacheries which he exhibited ,   when he was Hale and hearty . Sudhir had never seen Pran Nath and therefore, he had no other alternative but to believe on hearsay only.
Once Sudhir overheard the discussion going on, between his senior colleagues,  in the office and he got intrested when somebody was talking about him.
" Yes Sudhir is the best choice for the purpose . He is most gentle and loyal." , Said one.
"Oh let us help our friend and colleague in the hour of distress ". replied other, " Sudhir is the best choice for his daughter. "
" Let us take Sudhir with us to  hospital and fix the marriage in presence of Pran Nath ." " He will also have a good look at sudhir."retorted back another."
"Pran Nath will get relieved from the tension of his daughter   and he will die quite peacefully. Moreover, it will be the most rightous and kind service  rendered to our friend and colleague on our part.
No body made any objection. Everything was considered as settled . The pleasures of so benevolent a scheme were enjoyed by everyone .
While listening to the decision of his fate being decided  by his colleagues, Sudhir got worried . Sudhir had never thought about his marriage as yet. He could not venture to say no to his senior colleagues that too in this noble cause , which they were going to thrust upon him. How he will be able to convince his parents, he thought. Moreover, he had never seen the girl.
Only one person came to the rescue of Sudhir. It was the same colleague , who had first confided him about the condition of Pran Nath.
"So they are trying to  become  philanthropists  by making you a scapegoat. ", He said to Sudhir, " i wont let them do that at your cost and against your will.
He reprimanded them one by one. He convinced them that marriage is not a child's play. Parents consent is foremost in such matters . You are no body to decide his fate . The proposal of marriage was stopped then and there . Sudhir heaved a sigh of relief and thanked him.
Then after the death of Pran Nath, his son Vinay was appointed in the same office on compassionate grounds.  He became fast friend of Sudhir as they were  almost  of the same age. As both friends lived in the same area they started visiting each others dwellings . Sudhir got acquainted with the sister of Vinay also. She appeared well mannered , intelligent and very beautiful to Sudhir. They started liking each other . Vinay was also intrested in their marriage. He gave time and space to them to know each other better. But never mentioned about it to Sudhir .Sudhir  wanted to marry her now and therefore, sought permission of his mother for  getting married to the girl of his choice . But his mother declined the proposal at the  beginning  as she did not want to marry her  only son to an orphan girl . Sudhir was left with no other alternative but to forget the girl. The  friendship continued between the two i.e . Vinay and Sudhir but relationship never matured . No body  mentioned about the proposal of  marriage from either side and thus honour was redeemed  at the expense of the sentiments of two.